Role of the Government in Health Class 7 Questions and Answers Civics Chapter 2
Class 7 Civics Chapter 2 NCERT Textbook Questions and Answers
Question 1.
Would you associate all or some of these pictures with ‘health’ ? In what ways ? Discuss in groups.
Answer:
Some pictures are associated with health. Pollution and hair cutting saloons, etc. can create pollution and affect our health.
Question 2.
Pick two situations from the above collage (textbook) that are not related to illness and write two sentences on how they are related to health.
Answer:
- Green vegetables and jogging are not related to illness.
- Green vegetables are necessary in our diet.
- Jogging helps to keep our body fit and healthy.
Question 3.
Can you provide a title to these columns?
| India has the largest number of medical colleges in the world and is among the largest producers of doctors. Approximately 15,000 new doctors qualify every year. |
Most doctors settle in urban areas. People in rural areas have to travel long distances to reach a doctor. The number of doctors with respect to the population is much less in rural areas. |
| Healthcare facilities have grown substantially over the years. In 1950, there were only 2,717 hospitals in Inida.
In 1991, there were 11,174 hospitals. In 2000, the number grew to 18,218. |
About five lakh people die from tuberculosis every year. This number is almost unchanged since Independence! Almost two million cases of malaria are reported every year and this number isn’t decreasing. |
| India gets a large number of medical tourists from many countries. They come for treatment in some of the hospitals in India that compare with the best in the world. | We are not able to provide clean drinking water to all. 21 per cent of all Communicable diseases are water borne. For example, diarrhoea, worms, hepatitis, etc. |
| India is the fourth largest producer of medicines in the world and is also a large exporter of medicines. | Half of all children in India do not get adequate food to eat and are undernourished. |
Answer:
India is a developed country. Money more important than work.
Question 4.
In India, it is often said that we are unable to provide health services for all because the government does not have enough money and facilities. After reading the left hand column, do you think this is true ? Discuss.
Answer:
Hints :
No it is not true.
Most of the politicians and others in our country are corrupt. They think of themselves and not the people.
Question 5.
Why did Ranjan have to spend so much money? Give reasons.
Answer:
Ranjan was admitted in a private hospital and thus, he had to spend a lot of money. Private hospitals charge a lot and all tests are very expensive.
Question 6.
What problems did Aman face in the public hospital? How do you think the hospital can work in a better manner? Discuss.
Answer:
In the public hospital, Aman had to face many problems
- He and his family had to wait in a long queue at the OPD counter.
- For the blood test he had to stand in another queue.
- The hospital was over crowded.
Question 7.
Where do you go when you are ill? Are there any problems that you face ? Write a paragraph based on your experience.
Answer:
When I am ill, I usually go to a private doctor. Most of the public hospitals are over crowded. However, in a private doctor’s clinic, there is also a rush but not like the public hospital. The charges of a private doctor are high and he normally gives medicine from his own clinic. Private doctors normally take four or five days to cure a patient, so that they can get the amount of fees from the patient.
Question 8.
What problems do we face in private hospitals? Discuss.
Answer:
In private hospital fees of doctor’s are very high
- For every mild desease they recommend various tests.
- The doctors prescribe a lot of medicines to the patients.
Question 9.
In what ways is the public health system meant for everyone?
Answer:
The public health service is a chain of health centres and hospitals run by the government. The resources needed to run these hospitals are obtained form the money that we, the public pay to the government as taxes. One of the most important aspects of public health system is that it is meant to provide quality health care services either free or at a low cost, so that even the poor can seek treatment.
Question 10.
In this chapter you have read that health is a wider concept than illness. Look at this quote from the constitution and explain the terms ‘living standard and public health’ in your own words.
Quote from the Constitution
An important part of the Constitution says it is the “duty of the state to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living and to improve public health”.
Answer:
Living Standard :
The facilities that are provided to us by the government and also our parents to lead our lives is called living standard. Living standard also depends on the person’s income.
Public health :
Public health refers to the health of the entire population of a country. Since we our citizens of our country; we pay taxes; thus, it is the duty of the state or the central government to provide us all facilities to lead a better life. If the population remains weak and unhealthy a country cannot progress. Thus, it is the duty of the state to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living and to improve public health.
Question 11.
What are the different ways through which the government can take steps to provide health care for all? Discuss.
Answer:
The government should open a number of hospitals and public health centres.
- Free medicines should be provided to the poor at public health centres.
- The government should provide safe drinking water, sanitation, mutrition and housing.
- The government should introduce health education at all levels in schools. Knowledge about health is an essential part of education at all levels.
Question 12.
What differences do you find between private and public health services in your area ? Use the following table to compare and contrast these.
| Facility | Cost of services | Availability of service |
| Private | ||
| Public |
Answer:
| Facility | Cost of services | Availability of service |
| Private | Expensive | All time |
| Public | Cheaper | Not all time |
However, in both private and public centres well qualified doctors are available. Medicines given to the patients are more or less same.
Question 13.
‘Improvement in water and sanitation can control many diseases.’ Explain with the help of examples.
Answer:
Water and sanitations are essential part of life. Both can control many diseases. If we have no proper arrangement for water and sanitation, it will give birth to a number of diseases. To stop the spread of any disease we most take essential steps to improve sanitation conditions and the quality of drinking water.
For example, if we listen to the rules set by the government to clean coolers weekly; do not allow water to stagnate; throw waste in the proper assigned places; drink boiled or pourified water; we can prevent the spread of many diseases. Thus, improvement in water and sanitation can control many diseases.